My Connections to Play

Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good. Lucia Capocchione

Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. Diane Ackerman

Almost all creativity involves purposeful play. Abraham Maslow

Whoever wants to understand much must play much. Gottfried Benn

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning. Fred Rogers

I learned so much as a child during my playtime.  I remember spending most of my time in the great outdoors playing with my friends and my sister.  I performed my first concert with my sister and my dog on my outside stage.  I never knew that I would one day become an opera singer, but during my playtime I prepared myself to sing on the stage for the first time.

I spent so much of my childhood running in between the trees and up and down hills.  

The Easy Bake Oven is how I learned to cook.   I watched my mother cooking in the kitchen and I tried to imitate what I saw her doing with my Easy Bake Oven.  I recently saw an Easy Bake Oven at the store.  I instantly went back to my childhood and memories and all he fun times I had playing with my oven.  

My childhood was filled with playtime.  My parents encourages us to play.  As long as all of our homework and chore were completed, we could spend as much time as we liked.  I look at children today and feel sorry for them.  They aren't given the opportunity to play like I did as a child.  My 9 year old niece spends all of her time playing on the iPad, computer, or in front of the television.  She has no interest in being outdoors and has no problem telling you that.  At her school she barley gets 20 minutes of recess time and spends all day cooped up inside a classroom all day.  I hope that schools will soon realize how important play is for children.

Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good. Lucia Capocchione

Reflecting on Building Relationships

"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000, p. 4).

I have been fortunate to have had many people impact my life.  I have made some wonderful connections and some not so good.  They have all helped to shape me into the person I am today.

I am so blessed to have these two people as my parents.  They have supported me in everything I have ever wanted to do.  I did not always understand their reasons for somethings, but as I have gotten older I completely understand where they were coming from.  I love the relationship that I have with my parents.  I model my relationship with my husband around what I saw growing up.  They have a love that has withstood many things and I admire both of them so much.

This is my childhood best friend.  We were thick as thieves growing up and I have so many wonderful memories from the times we spent together.  I will never forget the day I met Aisha.  My family had just moved to Naperville, Il and we were driving around trying to familiarize ourselves with the new city.  We saw Aisha and her mother working in the yard so we stop to speak to them.  Our connection was instant!  We had a sleepover that same night and were inseparable.  We lost contact after my family relocated to Ga, but we recently connected on FB and the connection is still there.

I love my alma mater Spelman College.  I will never forget the first day I stepped foot through the gates of Spelman College.  As I looked around I saw so many shades of beautiful black women and it was breathtaking.  I was a member of The Spelman College Glee Club and we were family.  Some of my best friends today I met during my time at Spelman.  Every woman in my family is a Spelman Woman and I am sure that this will continue throughout generations to come.

My best friend!  Shana is not only my best friend, but she is also my co-teacher.  I met Shana while at Spelman and we have been friends for almost 13 years.  We are kindred spirits for sure.  Working with her has only made our bond stronger.  Knowing that she shares the same love for children is refreshing.  Not only that, but we trust each other and that deepens our relationship with the children.  I began working in this field before Shana and I never would have thought that 5 years later she would join me.  Neither one of us had early childhood in our career plans, but were both led to it.

Lyla is one of the first infants I had in my primary care group.  I love this little girl so much.  We were inseparable for a long time and I have enjoyed watching her grow.  I have a close relationship to her parents as well as her brother.  She has moved on to another school, but we still see each other often.  When I have those moments where I question why it is that I do this, I think back on my time with Lyla and the questions stop.

My husband Santana is my rock.  He is my soul mate and I am so blessed to have him in my life.  We have been married for 8 years and been together for 13.  People see us out and always think that we are newlyweds.  They don't believe us when I tell them how long we have been together.  My husband is my number one supporter and pushes me when I feel like giving up.  I can't wait for us to have children, he is going to be a wonderful father.

I love hard and I value every relationship I have.  I have learned that communication and trust are key to having successful relationships.  If I don't share that with a person the relationship will not work.